Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
Policy T3: Affordable Housing
Representation ID: 2816
Received: 06/09/2024
Respondent: Option Two Development Ltd
Agent: DHA Planning
Our client welcomes the differentiation policy when delivering affordable housing on greenfield (30%) and brownfield sites 10%. We also support the proposal to allow a viability assessment to be undertaken if affordable housing delivery is not possible even at the 10% level for viability reasons.
It is considered that the policy should use percentages led by the need requirement set out in Table 7.1 of the Local Housing Needs Assessment to inform the percentages to accompany Policy T3.
Our client welcomes the differentiation policy when delivering affordable housing on greenfield (30%) and brownfield sites 10%. We also support the proposal to allow a viability assessment to be undertaken if affordable housing delivery is not possible even at the 10% level for viability reasons.
It is considered that the policy should use percentages led by the need requirement set out in Table 7.1 of the Local Housing Needs Assessment to inform the percentages to accompany Policy T3.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
Policy T9: Self-build and Custom Housebuilding
Representation ID: 2817
Received: 06/09/2024
Respondent: Option Two Development Ltd
Agent: DHA Planning
It is agreed that no self- and custom-built housing should be required in flatted development, as set out in the wording of this policy.
It is agreed that no self- and custom-built housing should be required in flatted development, as set out in the wording of this policy.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
Policy T11: Small Sites and SME Housebuilders
Representation ID: 2818
Received: 06/09/2024
Respondent: Option Two Development Ltd
Agent: DHA Planning
While our client can see the benefit of a policy supporting SME housebuilders for smaller site development, the 60 unit cap seems arbitrary and potentially confusing. Whilst the support for SME housebuilders and small sites is welcomed, and important, it is unclear what practical effect this policy has as drafted. Would a high quality 61-unit scheme not be supportable?
While our client can see the benefit of a policy supporting SME housebuilders for smaller site development, the 60 unit cap seems arbitrary and potentially confusing. Whilst the support for SME housebuilders and small sites is welcomed, and important, it is unclear what practical effect this policy has as drafted. Would a high quality 61-unit scheme not be supportable?
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
Policy S11: Existing Employment Provision
Representation ID: 2819
Received: 06/09/2024
Respondent: Option Two Development Ltd
Agent: DHA Planning
As currently worded, the policy does not take account of sites like Grays of Chatham which have been allocated for residential development in the Local Plan. There may also be other unallocated sites which are currently in commercial use where there would be planning benefits in their being redeveloped for other uses.
The list of bullet points for scenarios where support would be forthcoming should be extended to include:
• The site is identified in the Local Plan as being suitable for other uses
• There would be wider, demonstrable planning benefits in redeveloping the site for a non-employment use.
As currently worded, the policy does not take account of sites like Grays of Chatham which have been allocated for residential development in the Local Plan. There may also be other unallocated sites which are currently in commercial use where there would be planning benefits in their being redeveloped for other uses.
The list of bullet points for scenarios where support would be forthcoming should be extended to include:
• The site is identified in the Local Plan as being suitable for other uses
• There would be wider, demonstrable planning benefits in redeveloping the site for a non-employment use.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
Policy S14: Supporting Medway's culture and creative industries
Representation ID: 2820
Received: 06/09/2024
Respondent: Option Two Development Ltd
Agent: DHA Planning
Whilst we have no objection to the proposal to this policy’s support for cultural infrastructure and the creative industries, it is important that the policy is not used to force developments to include uses which may not be viable to include.
Whilst we have no objection to the proposal to this policy’s support for cultural infrastructure and the creative industries, it is important that the policy is not used to force developments to include uses which may not be viable to include.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
Policy DM5: Housing Design
Representation ID: 2826
Received: 06/09/2024
Respondent: Option Two Development Ltd
Agent: DHA Planning
It is not appropriate for new residential dwellings to make provision for bespoke working-from-home facilities in residential dwellings where existing areas such as spare bedrooms and other locations in dwellings can be utilised to work from home given the portable nature of professional service work operating in laptops and other devices.
It is concerning that opening points on the vision for access and movement in Medway relate to working from home. It is not appropriate for new residential dwellings to make provision for bespoke working-from-home facilities in residential dwellings where existing areas such as spare bedrooms and other locations in dwellings can be utilised to work from home given the portable nature of professional service work operating in laptops and other devices. We consider that the Council should pursue a policy pursuant to their current adopted policy (Policy ED 10: Working From Home), which sets out that working from home will be permitted provided that it can be demonstrated that there would not be any detrimental impact/effects on residential amenity, it would not impact upon traffic flows, vehicle parking or the erosion of the residential character of the area.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
Policy DM15: Monitoring and Managing Development
Representation ID: 2835
Received: 06/09/2024
Respondent: Option Two Development Ltd
Agent: DHA Planning
Given that the Strategic Transport Assessment referred to in this policy has not been provided as part of the evidence base, the overall requirement is not yet fully known so that no detailed commentary can be made on this policy. However, given that the proposal is in the urban centre of Medway and is an “indicative” site allocation, it should be considered exempt from this policy's requirements due to the site's accessible location.
Given that the Strategic Transport Assessment referred to in this policy has not been provided as part of the evidence base, the overall requirement is not yet fully known so that no detailed commentary can be made on this policy. However, given that the proposal is in the urban centre of Medway and is an “indicative” site allocation, it should be considered exempt from this policy's requirements due to the site's accessible location.
